Bashir pardons Sudan security agents over coup: media

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir gives a speech on April 27, 2013 in Khartoum. By Ebrahim Hamid (AFP/File)

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) – President Omar al-Bashir has pardoned six members of Sudan’s powerful security service just days after they were jailed over a coup attempt last year, state-linked media said on Tuesday.

Several army officers convicted this month for the same plot have also been released under a presidential pardon.

The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) members received similar treatment “according to a request of amnesty they presented to the presidency,” said the Sudanese Media Centre, which is close to the security apparatus.

Analysts say the case reflects a political struggle within the 24-year government of Bashir, who himself took power in a coup.

Officials have never revealed more than vague details about the plot which analysts said was linked to hardcore Islamist officers who had once firmly backed the regime.

NISS said in a statement last Thursday that a special court convicted the security agents for various prison terms up to eight years.